Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics, a Santa Clarita orthodontist clinic focusing on treatment for all ages, explains why orthodontic professionals recommend screenings in early childhood.

“The fact is that patients have different needs at different times,” said Dr. Megan LeCornu of Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics. “The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that you bring your child in between seven and seven and a half for an evaluation.”

This age guideline is in place so that orthodontic professionals can inspect the upper canines to see if these prominent upper teeth are set to grow in correctly.

Related: Santa Clarita Orthodontist Explains Difference Between Types Of Dental Braces

“Sometimes it’s as easy as wiggling out a baby tooth a little early that can prevent all kinds of issues,” Dr. LeCornu continued.

The Santa Clarita orthodontist said that once the two teeth that surround a child’s two front teeth erupt from the gums, orthodontists can generally determine whether the upper canines will have enough room to grow in properly.

By bringing in a patient earlier, LeCornu explained that orthodontists are better prepared to prevent future issues and offer shorter-term, easier and faster treatments should a problem develop.

Should Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics staff detect an orthodontic problem, they will be able to decide whether or not to implement a one-phase or two-phase approach for their young patients.

Dr. Lecornu assured parents that the majority of children will not need orthodontic treatment at a young age. However, by screening early, she explained that her practice can help patients avoid more costly orthodontic treatments later in life.

“The scientific literature tells us that only 20 percent of patients under the age of ten need orthodontic treatment,” LeCornu said. “So we really try to make sure that we minimize treatment for our patients.”

Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics is currently rescheduling patients for future visits, with the understanding that “the situation regarding office closures and COVID-19 is changing daily.” Officials with the Santa Clarita orthodontist ask that parents interested in early screenings for their children “please keep monitoring our website” for updated information.

Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Community Spotlight based on a recent radio interview with Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics.

Dr. Steven Gilbertson, Dr. Megan LeCornu and Dr. Pete Weber of Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics — formerly Gilbertson and LeCornu Orthodontics — have a solid reputation in the community as the premiere Santa Clarita orthodontist office for children, teenagers and adults using Invisalign and traditional braces. Together, they strive to provide orthodontic excellence and five-star customer service in a friendly, caring environment that makes each patient feel like a member of their family. Residents have voted Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics as Best Orthodontist in Santa Clarita for eight years. Anyone looking for an “orthodontist near me” can contact Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics today. 

Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics

23206 Lyons Avenue, Suite 206
Santa Clarita, CA 91321

(661) 259-2388

27891 Smyth Dr. Unit A
Valencia, CA 91355

661-295-8288

Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics – Santa Clarita, Valencia

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